Who are the 5 or 6 topics architects today

[cary lichtenstein]

Our club is considering redoing its course and wants a "name architect" for the project. Who are they and what is the wait list before they can take on a new project?

[Jim_Coleman]

   From this crowd, you’re likely to get dozens of names. A more interesting question would be who one would not recommend. But I doubt you’d get much of a response. We’re too nice. 😀

[Ian Mackenzie]

That depends on a ton of info, Cary.
First, not sure if people here are tracking the workloads and schedules of the GCAs...;-)


Second, what is the stated timeline for your club? What kind of club/course? Golden Age heritage or Arthur Hills dirt pile...;-)...?
Countrry club or golf club?


Do you have the cash on hand or do you need to vote an a five figure member assessment?


If you are in the "considering" stage, then youre at least 3-4 years away from the first shovel in the dirt.


Third, what is the scope and budget of the project? Is it a $2M "bunker, tree and expand putting surface" job or a "gut rehab" with irrigation, new greens and some tinkering of the routing?


My guess is that "name architects" are busy but always looking for projects that fit their portfolios and brands.


"Spin-out" guys and teams may have similar skill sets, but shorter client lists and possible avaialbility if your membership can see past the name thing.


The biggest gating and limiting factor in your search are your club's goals.


To directly answer your question, in no order:


1. Doak &Co.
2. Hanse/Wagner
3. Coore & Co.
4. Tyler Rae
5. Andrew Green.
6. Mike Devries, Frank Pont, Mike Clayton
7. Mackenzie/Ebert want to do US projects now.
8. Jim Urbina

[Phil Young]

Cary, consider that the insistance of having a "name architect" will prevent the club from hiring the architect who is about to become a "name architect." An example: in 2004 I was in Scotland working on historical research for the late Mark Parsinen. I asked him what he looked for when hiring a golf course architect. I've never forgotten his reply: "I look for someone who has done good work but whose best work was yet to come. It wasn't that long before he hired Gil Hanse to design and build Castle Stuart. He's had a pretty good career since then... [size=78%] [/size]

[John Handley]

Kyle Phillips - what he did at Cal Club is legendary
Kyle Franz
OCM
David McLay Kidd
Beau Welling

[Keith Phillips]

Might be included in 'Doak & Co.' but I'd add Brian Schneider (Old Barnwell, and several exceptional restorations I've seen)

[Jim_Coleman]

   I’m a fan of Jim Nagle. Premier Flynn consultant.

[DFarron]

Kyle Phillips - what he did at Cal Club is legendary
Kyle Franz
OCM
David McLay Kidd
Beau Welling

Kyle Phillips is very under rated. Not only Cal Club but his work at Menlo is exceptional.

[Alex_Hunter]

Without knowing anything about your club I would propose looking into the firm of Whitman, Axland and Cutten (WAC Golf).

Underrated, affordable when required, excellent work. Often overlooked compared to the names listed above.

[Mark Kiely]

Admittedly, I have no real experience in this matter but just based on what I've seen in person and online, I would add both Jay Blasi and Todd Eckenrode to your "for consideration" list.

[cary lichtenstein]

Budget is $15 million, all 18 holes

[Steve Lapper]

Cary,


  That budget is interesting. It may be enough, depending on the scope of the work. Some complete renovations ( and "re-dos") have been done for much more, some for less.


  I would absolutely put Mike Nuzzo on your list. He's done brilliant work without promoting himself and is a whole lot more reasonably-priced, and often easier to work with, than some of the other names mentioned.


 

[Tom_Doak]

Cary,


  That budget is interesting. It may be enough, depending on the scope of the work. Some complete renovations ( and "re-dos") have been done for much more, some for less.

  I would absolutely put Mike Nuzzo on your list. He's done brilliant work without promoting himself and is a whole lot more reasonably-priced, and often easier to work with, than some of the other names mentioned.

Steve:


Just which of the “names mentioned” have you worked with, who weren’t reasonably priced or easy to work with?  Or are you just painting others in general as bad people in order to boost your endorsement of Mike N (who is indeed a nice guy) ?

[Tom_Doak]

Our club is considering redoing its course and wants a "name architect" for the project. Who are they and what is the wait list before they can take on a new project?

Cary:


I would guess the five best-known architects right now are kind of like me - very busy with new work and not too interested in an anonymous renovation.


The idea that a club is ready to spend $15m on their course but have no clear idea who or what they want is kind of crazy to me.  You should probably go play some other courses instead of just making an open call for salesmen.

[Steve Lapper]

Cary,


  That budget is interesting. It may be enough, depending on the scope of the work. Some complete renovations ( and "re-dos") have been done for much more, some for less.

  I would absolutely put Mike Nuzzo on your list. He's done brilliant work without promoting himself and is a whole lot more reasonably-priced, and often easier to work with, than some of the other names mentioned.

Steve:


Just which of the “names mentioned” have you worked with, who weren’t reasonably priced or easy to work with?  Or are you just painting others in general as bad people in order to boost your endorsement of Mike N (who is indeed a nice guy) ?

Tom,


  There was no deliberate, or otherwise, stroke of the brush painting everyone into any specific bucket. Sorry you seemed to have taken offense.


  There are certainly names mentioned who command premium prices--rightfully so in some cases. There are also a couple of names who aren't any part "bad people " (your interpretation, not mine), but instead aren't necessarily easy to work with. I've worked, both tangentially and directly, with both.


  If it was a "boost to endorsing (sic)" Mike Nuzzo...so be it! We both know (I think you do?) he deserves it. We also both know Mike isn't much of a self-promoter and having worked directly with Mike, I can wholeheartedly endorse him...as I did years back with you and your firm. Cheers!

[Michael Moore]

You want a name architect? Here are five very cool names from the American list -

Jan Bel Jan
Dave Heatwole
Joe Jemsek
Todd Quitno
Kipp Schulties

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